Electrical frequency control apparatus



J1me 1954 J. R. WOODYARD ET AL 2,632,623

ELECTRICAL FREQUENCY CONTROL APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 6, 1943 0 YARD 5 6 M r M 9 6 6 3 A w a W 9 I 5 a, /M////// mm W 2 o% 2 f M W F M 5 M I W1. I I |1|\\ 6 M 3 w w m 5 9 u 6 M r w z a 3 a 2 z W 6 7 4 8 2 3 .a

M mom a 5 m m flm i N WWW J5 w w w Patented June 29, 1954 ELECTRICAL FREQUENCY CONTROL APPARATUS John R. Woodyard and Sigurd F. Varian, Garden City, N.

Y., assignors, by mesne assignments,

to Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University Application December 6, 1943, Serial No. 513,090

27 Claims.

This invention relates to hollow resonator devices and is particularly concerned with electrically energized arrangements and methods for controllably varying the operating frequency of such devices.

The present application is a continuation-inpart of co-pending application Serial No. 428,682 filed January 29, 1942, now Patent No. 2,414,785.

It is a major object of the invention to provide novel electrically energized means and methods for controllably and predictably varying the operating frequency of hollow resonator means.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel electro-meohanical means and methods for controllably and predictably varying the operating frequency of hollow resonator means.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel thermally responsive arrangements for controllably and predictably varying the operat ing frequency of hollow resonator means.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel electrically energized magnetostrictive are rangements for controllably and predictably varying the operating frequency of hollow resonator means.

It is a further object of the invention to provide novel electrically energized piezoelectric crystal means for controllably and predictably varying the operating frequency of hollow resonator means.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel electro-mechanical arrangements for controlling the operating frequency of electron discharge devices employing deformable hollow resonator means.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an electrically tuned electron beam velocity modulating device.

It is a further object of the invention to provide novel electro-mechanical arrangements for controllably varying the gap between electrodes in a hollow resonator device.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel electrically energized means for controllably deforming a flexible walled hollow resonator device, for varying the natural frequency thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel electrically energized arrangements for controllably varying the size of a frequency control member or strut coupled between movable hollow resonator wall portions.

Fi u 1 i a l t o partly in section, of an r n discharge device of the velocity modulation type embodying a preferred form of the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view, partly in section, illustrating details of the thermally responsive, electrically energized resonator frequency control arrangements of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary View, partly in section, illustrating another embodiment of the thermal tuning phase of the invention;

Figures 4, 5, 6 and '7 are partially sectional views similar to Figure 2 and illustrating further electro-mechanical means for controlling the resonator frequency, said figures illustrating further thermal, magnetostrictive and two piezoelectric crystal tuning arrangements;

Figure 8 is an elevation, partly in section, illustrating application of frequency control principles of the invention to a two-resonator velocity modulation type oscillator;

Figure 9 is a perspective View of a hollow resonator device having externally adjustable tuning struts, to which the invention is applied; and

Figure 10 is an axial section through the hollow'resonator device of Figure 9.

In Figure 1, the invention is illustrated as applied to frequency control of an electron discharge hollow resonator device wherein a single hollow resonator is deformable for purposes of varying its operating frequency.

A tubular conductive body member II is internally cylindrical to define to the outer side walls of a resonator chamber l2. A hollow cylindrical metal tube It, coaxial with member I I, extends within member H into chamber I2 and terminates adjacent flat end wall M of chamber I2. A flexible and deformable end wall l5, generally parallel to wall Hi, extends between intermediate portions of tube I3 and member ll.

As illustrated, wall It preferably comprises an annularly crimped metal annulus vacuum-sealed at inner and outer peripheries to tube l3 and member ll.

Opposite wall M, the end of body member II is secured to tube l3 by an annularly crimped metal annulus I6 similar and parallel to annulus [5. Beyond annulus l6, tube [3 is fixed to a centrally apertured plate I! which extends parallel to wall 14.

A short collar is coaxial with member H is flexibly secured, as by crimped annulus IE), to one end of a hollow thimble 2! which is fixedly mounted in an apertured plate 22 parallel to plate 51. Plates I? and 22 are interconnected by a plurality of adjustable threaded elements designated at 23 for a purpose to be explained.

Beyond plate 22, the end of thimble 2| is closed by a sealed glass or like insulating cap 24 through which extends a coaxial conductor transmission line 25 for conveying energy to a suitable cathode 24? disposed within tube l3.

The end of tube l3 within the resonator l2 and an aligned aperture in wall l4 are provided with suitable parallel grid electrode structures indicated at 21 and 28.

A short collar 29, coaxial with member II is externally fixed to wall I4. Collar 29 is flexibly connected, as by crimped annulus 3 I to the inner end of a hollow thimble 32 which is secured in an aperture in plate 33 and has its outer end sealed by a glass or like insulating cap 34.

Plate 33 is parallel to wall I4 and connected thereto by a plurality of adjustable threaded elements 35 for a purpose to be explained.

A cup-shaped metal reflector electrode 36 is mounted in axial alignment with grids 21, 28 and cathode 25 by means of a rigid conductor 3'I which extends in sealing relation through cap 34. A metal terminal button 38 is fixed to conductor 31 and is suitably shaped for frictional attachment of a lead for applying a desired potential to refiector 36.

A suitable coaxial-conductor-type transmission line 39 is sealed in a suitable aperture in member I I and provided with a terminating antenna loop 4I adapted to couple with the electromagnetic field Within chamber I2.

Body member I I is formed with a rigid lug 42, and variable dimension frequency control means such as the strut indicated at 43 in Figure 1, and illustrated in detail in Figure 2, is provided between lug 42 and plate I'I.

Referring now to Figure 2, a thin-walled hollow metal tube 44, preferably of aluminum or some material having a high coefficient of thermal expansion and having its outer surface covered with an electrical insulation coating or covering 45, is supported at opposite ends between two adjustable screws 46 and 41, so as to provide a relatively rigid strut of adjustable length between lug 42 and plate I1.

Preferably 45 is in integral anodized coating of aluminum oxide (A1203) formed on tube 44. A coil of resistance heater wire 48 is wound upon covering 45. A suitable controllable electrical power source such as battery 49 is connected to energize coil 48, and the amount of current flow through the resistance wire 48. is controllably variable by means of a rheostat Covering 45 is conductive to heat produced by current flow through coil 43, so that tube 44 is heated proportionately to the current flow determined by the position of movable rheostat tap 52.

Screws 46 and 4'! are threadedly mounted in thermal insulating bushings 53 and 54, respec tively secured in suitable apertures in lug 42 and plate Il. Bushings 53 and 54 prevent interchange of heat by conduction between one end of the strut and lug 42, and between the other end of the strut and plate I1, and may be formed of any known thermal insulation material which is sufiiciently rigid to establish a rigid connection between adjustable screws 46 and 41 and lug 42 and plate I1.

Thus the strut is substantially thermally insulated from the remainder of the hollow resonator device, and heating of the strut may be accurately and measurably controlled by tap 52. Both or either of screws 46 and 41 may be adjusted for varying the effective length of the strut. This adjustment is especially useful as a prelimi nary or preset adjustment. Lock nuts 55, '56, 51

and 58 are employed to maintain screws 46 and 41 in desired position of axial adjustment.

Operation A stream of electrons is projected from cathode 26 and through grids 21, 28 externally of resonator chamber I2. Reflector 36 is suitably biased to repel the electron stream and redirect it through exit grid 28 into the interior of resonator I2.

Chamber I2 encloses an oscillatory electromagnetic field, the natural frequency of which field is determined mainly by the volume and shape of chamber I2. Deformation or other displacement of any of the chamber Walls results in alteration of the distributed capacity and inductance of the oscillatory circuit of chamber I2, and distortion of the field and alteration of the resonant frequency of chamber I2. Grids 21 and 28 bound regions of maximum field intensity so that relative separational movement between grids 21 and 28 will appreciably affect the natural frequency of chamber I2.

As the electron stream initially traverses the gap between grids 21 and 28, the electrons are subjected to velocity modulation by the field between the grids. Electrons are subjected to acceleration and deceleration forces, depending on whether the instantaneous direction of the field is aiding or opposing their travel across the gap. As a result of the above velocity modulation, the electrons along the stream tend to become concentrated in spaced groups during the time the stream leaves and reenters grid 28. The grouped electron stream reenters the gap between the grids in such phase with the field that maximum energy is extracted from the beam by the field, for maintaining oscillation of the field and for supplying energy for extraction by line 39.

The above briefly described velocity modulation theory of operation of the illustrated hollow resonator device is disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,250,511 to which reference is made for further detail. The present invention is, however, relatively independent of such velocity modulation theory, being directed to arrangements for controllably varying the resonator frequency.

Energization of coil 48 proportionately heats tube 44. During normal operation, coil 48 preferably maintains tube 44 at a temperature well above prevailing ambient temperatures so that frequency control may be had in either direction, and suitable arrangements (not shown) for shielding tube 44 may be provided if desirable.

When tube 44 becomes increasingly heated, it expands. Longitudinal expansion of tube 44 results in increased separation of lug 42 and plate H, which is translated into increased separation of grids 21 and 28 to thereby increase the natural frequency of chamber I2. When tube 44 is decreasingly heated, or permitted to cool, longitudinal contraction thereof results in decreased separation of grids 21 and 28 and consequent lowering of the natural frequency of resonator chamber I2. The natural frequency of resonator chamber I2 can therefore be accurately variably controlled by shifting tap 52, and if desired this tap adjustment may be suitably calibrated in terms of the frequency of resonator 12. Thinwalled tube 44 expands and contracts with a minimum of time delay due to its large radiation surface area and small volume.

Flexible wall I5 permits such deformation of the resonator as is necessary for the above frequency control, while maintaining the vacuum within the device. Parallel annuli l and I6 steady tube I3 and provide substantially axial displacement thereof. Threaded elements 23 and provide for preliminary axial alignment adjustments of the cathode and reflector respectively.

Coil 48 has been illustrated diagrammatically as a conventional coil. In practice, however, we prefer to wind the resistance wire non-inductively on tube 44 so as to avoid possible magnetic disturbance of the electron beam from cathode 28.

If desired, heating of tube 44 may be accomplished by any suitable arrangement of resistance wire providing a radiant heat source within or about tube 44 without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Flexible wall l5 may be sufficiently resilient to effect movement of lug 42 and plate ll toward each other when the strut cools, or if desired a tension spring 59 may be provided to insure that return. Spring 59 of course, would not be strong enough to oppose expansion of tube 44.

Positive bidirectional control of the grid separation and resonator frequency may be obtained by making tube 44 rigid or substantially integral with elements 48 and 47, as by soldering after assembly and preliminary adjustment.

The above exemplifies an embodiment of the invention known as thermal tuning. If desired two or more circumferentially spaced struts 43 may be employed.

Further embodiments its length, and is suitably controllably energized similarly to-coil 48.

Tube El extends coaxially within a surrounding larger bore rigid tube 63 which is fixed intermediate its ends within a suitable aperture in ,7

plate IT. A suitable plug 64 closes the end of tube 63. An adjustable screw 65 mounted on plug 64 is thread-edit engaged with the adjacent end of tube 6|, so that rotation of screw 65 efiects axial displacement of tube SI and. variation of the relative separation of lug 42 and plate I1.

Tube 63 is preferably made of Invar or some other material having a relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion. Extension of tube 63. beyond plate I? permits the use of a tube iii which is longer than the distance between lug 42 and plate I1. Since tube 53 has little or no expansion when heated, the above described arrangement provides a compound strut wherein the long expansible tube 5! when heated affords relatively large displacement between lug 42 and plate H, thereby giving wide range control of the resonator frequency.

Thin-walled tube 6! expands and contracts with a minimum of time delay due to its thinness and large radiation surface. The portions of tube 53- between lug 42 and plate ll serve as a draftshield for tube 6!, but may be omitted if desired without aifecting the above operation. Further, member 63 need not be a tube as shown but may comprise any suitable rigid extension of plate l1.

In operation, the thermal tuning arrangement of Figure 3 functions and is controlled similarly to that of Figure 1 above described.

The thermal tuning arrangement illustrated in Figure 4 is similar to that of Figure 2 in that it embodies a thin-walled metal tube M wound about with a non-inductive heater coil 48. The opposite ends of tube M are fixed to support plugs 66 and 61. Plug 68 is formed with a ball end 68 adapted to seat in a suitable surface socket G9 on lug d2. Plug 61 is formed with a ball end H adapted to seat within a suitable socket ii. on the end of screw 13 threadedly mounted in plate l1.

Each end of the thermal tuning strut is thus substantially universally connected to the associated resonator parts, and such universal connection affords a minimum of metal to metal contact so that there is little or no exchange of heat by conduction at the ball and socket joints.

Operation of the arrangement of Figure 4 is similar to that of Figure 2, spring 553 preventing mechanical play.

In Figure 5, a suitably wound magnetizing coil it is disposed about a core 15 and surrounded by a shell it. The shell is closed at opposite ends by walls ii and 78 having ball and socket connection with lug 42 and screw i3 similarly to Figure 4. Wall 78 is separable from the shell for insertion of coil M. The illustrated terminals of coil 14 are connected to a suitable variable source of electrical energy similarly to Fig ure 2.

Core 15 and shell 16 are preferably made of nickel, iron, Nichrome or some other material which is rnagneto-strictive, and which contracts or expands proportionately to increasing degrees of magnetization under the control of electrical energization of coil M. Thus the length of the magnetostrictive strut of Figure 5 varies with the amount of power supplied to coil 'M from battery 49, and correspondingly the natural frequency of resonator chamber 12 is controllably and predictably varied. Spring 59, as in Figure 4, maintains close contact between lug 42 and plate ii and the strut ends, and thereby insures movement of the resonator grids together.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate further embodiments ofthe invention wherein electrical energization of piece-electric crystal substances is employed for electro-rnechanical tuning.

A suitably cut block ii) of piezo-electro material, such as quartz, tourmaline, Rochelle salts or the like, has opposite end surfaces suitably rigidly secured to steel plates 8i and 82 which have universal ball and socket connections to lug 412 and plate ill, similarly to Figure 4.

Electrodes 83 and 8 are secured to two other opposite faces of block l9. These electrodes may comprise metal foil sheets suitably cemented onto the associated crystal surfaces, and have potential applying leads 8% and 86 which are preferably connected to the battery and variable rheostat shown as in Figure 2.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, a suitably cut block 81 of piezo-electric material has secured to opposite end faces metal electrodes 83 and 89 which serve as terminals for applying a voltage across the crystal. I-Iere electrodes 88 and are electrically insulated from force transmitting plates iii and 32, as by suitable insulation members 9i and t2, the assembly being preferably cemented together in sandwich formation. Leads 85 and 89 are connected to electrodes 88 and 89 as in Figure 6.

Thus the voltage across either crystal 19 or 91 may be varied by adjustment of tap 52. When the voltage is increased, crystal 19 or 81 expands in known fashion thereby increasing separation of grids 21 and 28, and the reverse operation takes place when the voltage is reduced. Since the involved properties of such crystals are known, further explanation of this phase of the invention is not needed.

If desired, instead of the ball and socket joints between the strut ends and the associated resonator parts shown in Figures 4-7, the opposite strut ends could be rigidly secured to lug 42 and plate I1, and spring 59 could be omitted since the frequency control movements would then be positive bidirectionally.

Figure 8 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention wherein frequency control is accomplished by electro-mechanical regulation of the position of a conductive member disposed at least in part within a hollow resonator field.

The electron discharge device illustrated in Figure 8 comprises a tubular cylindrical body member 93 provided with three parallel spaced walls 94, 95, 96 which define spaced resonator chambers 91 and 98. Wall 95 is centrally aper tured to accommodate a hollow drift tube 99, rigid therewith, and the opposite ends of tube 99 and the adjacent walls 94 and 96 are provided with aligned grid structures IGI, I02 and I93, I94.

A suitable cathode I is provided for projecting a beam of electrons axially of member 93 toward a suitably mounted electron collector device 595 beyond grid I04. An annular beam focusing electrode I91 surrounds the electron stream and is supported upon a spring metal clip I98 secured to terminal I 09 on an insulating plate I I i. Plate III is rigid with a suitable supporting post H2 upstanding from the bottom end wall II3 of the device.

As illustrated, cathode I05 is mounted on a spring clip I I4 attached to ring electrode I01, and

suitable leads are introduced through an aperture in member 93 for energizing the cathode and ring electrode. The entire volume within the device is evacuated, as by pump connection I I5.

A coaxial line II6 having a terminal loop II1 coupled with the field within resonator 91 is adapted to extract energy from that field. The frequency of that energy may be measured by a suitable indicator as at I I8. A suitable coupling loop I23 couples together the fields within resonators 91 and 98, thus feeding back energy from resonator 98 to maintain oscillations in resonator 91. The common resonator wall 95 is suitably apertured at II9 to accommodate a flat blade or paddle member I 2i which projects into both resonator fields as illustrated. Member I2I is carried on one end of a flexible bimetallic spring strip I22 which extends freely through a suitable aperture I23 in member 93 and is anchored at its other end upon an abutment I24 rigidly carried by a short tube I25 threadedly mounted in aperture i523. Strip I22 is so biased that when cold it assumes the indicated lower dotted line position. When heater coil I21 has maximum energization, strip I22 may be flexed thereby to its upper dotted line position. The solid line medial position of strip I22 is indicated in Figure 8.

The outer end of tube I25 is provided with a glass or like seal I26 to maintain the vacuum. A

heater coil I21 wound about strip I22 is energized from battery 49 and rheostat 5|.

In operation, the electron stream from cathode I05 is velocity modulated while passing between grids I92, IDI, becomes velocity grouped during passage along drift tube 99, and passes between grids I03, I94 where energy is extracted from the stream by the electro-magnetic field within resonator 91. Accepted theories of operation of such devices are disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,259,690 to which reference is made for further detail if needed.

Blade I2I effectively comprises part of each of the conductive inner resonator surfaces bounding the electromagnetic fields therein. Hence the above described displacement of blade I2i will effect deformation of the resonator boundaries and the fields therein with resultant relative changes in frequency.

Since the fields within resonator 91 and 98 are designed to oscillate at the same frequency, being coupled through loop I20, the frequency control effected by variation of paddle I2I between its illustrated dotted line limiting positions is utilizable to obtain a condition of maximum power output for the oscillator.

It is clear that the operating frequency of each resonator may be varied by adjustment of rhecstat M to vary the heating of coil I21.

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate the invention as applied to a hollow resonator device of the type illustrated in United States Letters Patent No.

Briefly, that device comprises hollow resonators i28 and I29 formed with flexible adjacent end walls I3I and I32 secured to an elongated drift tube I33. A suitable cathode assembiy I34 is mounted at one end of the device arranged to project an electron beam through input grids 535, I36 andoutput grids I31, I38. The resonator fields are coupled by a suitable telescoping antenna assembly designated at I39.

The resonators and cathode are enclosed in a vacuum-tight chamber provided by glass end cups I4I, I42 sealed to a longitudinally expansible body made up of a tubular member M3 attached at opposite ends by flexible Sylphons I44, I45 to annular plates I46, I41 rigid with grids I35 and I38 respectively. Member I43 rigidly supports drift tube I33, as by bracket I48.

Frequency control of the resonators in this device is effected by varying the effective axial length of metal struts I49 and I5I extending between plates I45, I41 and parallel rotatable bearing annuli I52, I53 in ball bearing engagement with a rigid flange I54 on tube I 43.

Each strut I49 and I5I consists of a pair of threadedly interconnected parts I55 and I56 for preliminarily adjustably selecting the overall length of each strut. Moreover, as shown in Figure 9, each strut I49 and I5I is placed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the device so that when either of plates I52 or I53 is rotated, as by manipulation of micrometer assemblies I51, I58, the effective strut length relating to the axis of the device is changed to thereby alter the associated resonator grid spacing and operating frequency.

The above purely mechanical manner of frequency control is not part of the present invention, and reference is made to said Patent No. 2,242,249 for further detail.

A suitable battery I6] is provided with a parallel resistor I62 having a variable tap I63. As illustrated this variable power source is connected between a central point of strut I54 and its two ends which are grounded by connection to the grounded casing L43. Since strut ir5l is of metal, it is heated by passa e of electric current therealong.

By adjusting tap 163, the heating power delivered to s rut 55] may be .controllably varied, ther con rol abl va yi the len th of h trut th ou h its thermal x ansion charactertics. Th same e ctr mechanical variable c ntr l or he len th of strut .149 may be accomished y a ul ti of a tap lot, which is ad u a le alone a resis or iti rrane' d in par-- al acros a sec. d batt ry to. These e ect omechanical a ius -c ts e fect trccucncy co tro b co r ling the resonat r id spacing abov e p a ned An suitab e me hod ma be emp oy d for intins or meas r ng han es in oscil tion freque cy ue t meuipu u o the t nin co r s- For xam a arra ge out ound to be s factory is l u tr d ithin cu in Fieure 10. After emerging iron enit grid [3.5, the electron beam falls on metal plat 15-! which is centrally apertured at 4.6.8 to permit passage o a t in nci o l rons from t e en e o the beam. Plate i6] is insulatingly supported relative to the resonator shell as illustrated and is connected to ground through a milliarnmeter and i in fi f y EB otlf a t i ay serve as a detector.

The electron ray pencil emerging from aperture 16$ continues past a negatively charged rod ll, suitably supported within the assembly. The individual electrons in the ray pencil are deflected by action of the negatively charged rod more .01 less fro their straight paths depending upon their velocities. An arcuato fluorescent screen H2, suitably grounded to the resonator frarne as indicated is mounted in the path of the deflected beam.

In practice it has been found satisfactory to make aperture lfi 8-a slit about 1 m n. by 5 mm.; a d to lo at r d I' wh ch is ab u one c eh inch n ia te abo t on uarter of a in away from plate l5! and about thrce-sixteenths of an inch to one side of the emergent ray pencil. The arrangement was known as a repulsion velo ty ctr r ph- Ele ro-t ma equen y on rol o the scillator was indicated and Observed as below explained. The emergent electron ray pencil from aperture Hill was of course velocity modulated due to operation of the device as explained in said Patent No. 2,242,249. The device was first tuned manually, by adjustment of micrometers I51, I53 until the oscillator output was at maxir At m ximum osc l ati n e ron grouping in the beam is sharpest, and this condition ma be e ve y t e natu e o t t ac hi h the ra pe i t aces on c n 112- F rmc e in rm l pera ion, plate ,l of! is $0 ne a v l bia d a o re ele tron of a erage or less velocity. Hence, conditions of I10 q lhti ll sub tantia K 9 l t ns will :Stlfli l e W an the w bcn indi a on on mi liainmeter 6&9. During oscillation, certain of the l ctrons attain hi he han average veloci y a n e w s h plate 1 e1. As the am litude of oscillation increases, the nurnber of electrons st k ate t? ncr se so tha h de ec o ut chtindic t o o mil amme r i -8 incr a e Th e e o a n s milar o d c osed n sca ers eaters azs cze The velocity spectrograph screen I72, or rn-illie am-meter [6.9, are thus indicators of oscillation amplitude. Moreover, changes in resonator frequency and oscillation frequency may be readily interred and ascertained from their indications in the manner explainedbelow.

The input resonator strut It!) wa heat d b energization from battery 155. This cau ed elongation of strut 1G9, and increased separation of rids 13c with co eq ent chance in t e natural frequ ncy f resonator i1 T a there was such a frequenc cha e wa ind c ted by the drop in output of the oscillator as observed on miiliaiu i tcr it by the de r ed track iehe'th on scr n llilhe oscilla o W then ore to In manner of observing frequency change in tlie oscillator is to simply provide a suitable energy leaking aperture a Wall of resonator an meas r the hi h r uen y pu rau a f om hat e r as y a crystal deol frequency meter assembly. d, any of the electro-mechanical strut length controls illustrated in Figures 2, 3, and .4 7 could be employed in place of struts his and iii! the ,device of Figures 9 and 10.

The above described invention, in its various embodiments, is peculiarly adapted to automatic frequency control systems for hollow resonator devices, by deriving power for energizing the struts from a suitable frequency sensitive systern QQ lpled to the oscillator output, so as to ain the oscillator frequency at a desired nce many Changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereojf, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompar-lying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A high frequency tube structure comprising a hollow resonator having relatively movable portions, a thermal extensible contractible membe i c uded be we s i rela i e y movable portions, an means ior' a y ug h temperature of said member to produce variations in the l n th hereof an -the nin of aid res a An ele tric di char evice compri n means f r produ i a s ream of electrical char es, a hol ow b dy ectr ma n r so at interposed in the path of said stream, and thermally controlled means for varying the resonant frequency o aid resona ore. An electric is har e evic c p i n means for producing a stream of electrical charges, a hollow-body r son or interposed in th p th of said s ream a o io of sai nator bein capable of chan e i position t ary the resonant frequen y o sai re nato and therma means c nnect to said portion f changing t e pos t on o a d o io to vary the resonant frequency of said resonator.

ln ultraigh f ncy d vi e c mpr si a on a n a plura it f e t des the ein dofinin a i cha pa h. hollow bod resonator m ans i sai at-h a eso ato m ans in ud ns a port on ova ela ve to th r mainde at sai esonator m ans actu ta l in response to temperature changes for moving said t on relati to said remaind r a d emper 11 ture varying means cooperative with said actuatable means for determining the position of said portion.

5. An electric discharge device comprising a hollow-body resonator, a cathode, and means for bunching electrons emitted from said cathode and causing the bunched electrons to give up energy in said resonator, in combination with mechanical means for altering the distributed capacity and inductance of said resonator and thermal means for actuating said mechanical means.

6. An electric discharge device comprising a hollow-body resonator, a cathode, and means for bunching electrons emitted from said cathode and causing the bunched electrons to give up energy in said resonator, in combination with mechanical means for altering the distributed capacity and inductance of said resonator and electrically heated thermal means for actuating said mechanical means.

'7. Electron discharge apparatus comprising means defining a hollow resonator adapted to provide an electromagnetic field, means operably connected to said resonator shiftable for changing electrical characteristics of said resonator for changing the oscillatory frequency of said field, and electrically energized means coupled to said shiftable means for controllably actuating said shiftable means for predictably controlling the frequency of said field.

8. The electron discharge apparatus defined in claim 7, wherein said electrically energized means comprises means expansible and contractible with changes in temperature thereof operatively connected to said shiftable means, and electrical means for controllably varying the temperature of said expansible and contractible means.

9. The electron discharge apparatus defined in claim '7, wherein said electrically energized means comprises a magneto-strictive member operatively connected to said shiftable means, and electrical means for controlling magnetization of said member.

10. The electron discharge apparatus defined in claim 7, wherein said electrically energized means comprises a piezo-electric member operatively connected to said shiftable means, and electrical means for controlling a dimension of said member.

11. The electron discharge apparatus defined in claim 7, wherein said shiftable means comprises a movable conductive member the position of which determines certain electrical characteristics of said field.

12. The electron discharge apparatus defined in claim '7, wherein said shiftable means comprises a movable portion of the resonator wall enclosing said field.

13. High frequency apparatus comprising a deformable hollow resonator forming an electromagnetic circuit element, and electromechanical means operatively connected to said resonator for variably controlling the shape and volume of said resonator and thereby controlling the frequency of oscillation of said circuit.

14. High frequency apparatus comprising a deformable hollow resonator forming an electromagnetic circuit element, and thermally respon-- sive means operatively connected for variably controlling deformation of said resonator and thereby controlling the frequency of oscillation of said circuit.

15. High frequency apparatus comprising a hollow resonator having a plurality of relatively movable wall portions, and means for controllably effecting relative movement between said wall portions comprising expansible and contractible means connected between said wall portions and electrically energized means for actuating said expansible and contractible means.

16. Electron discharge apparatus comprising a hollow resonator having portions relatively movable for changing the frequency of the oscillatory circuit of said resonator, strut means operatively connected between said portions, and electrical means operable on said strut means for varying a dimension of said strut means to effect said relative movement of said portions.

17. The electron discharge aparatus defined in claim 16, wherein said strut means comprises a member having a relatively high coefficient of thermal expansion, and said electrical means comprises means for heating said member.

18. The electron discharge apparatus defined in claim 16, wherein said resonator portions are flexibly interconnected.

19. Electron discharge apparatus comprising a hollow resonator having relatively movable wall portions provided with adjacent electron permeable regions, means interconnecting said wall portions comprising a thermally responsive expansible and contractible member, and means for variably controlling the temperature of said member.

20. Electron discharge apparatus comprising a hollow resonator having relatively movable wall portions provided with aligned electron permeable regions, means for projecting an electron beam through said regions, a thermally respon sive expansible and contractible member extending substantially parallel to said beam operative- 1y connected at opposite ends to said wall portions, and means for varying the temperature of said member for predictably controlling the frequency of said resonator.

21. The apparatus defined in claim 20, including spaced means rigid with the respective resonator wall portions, and means connecting said member at opposite ends to said spaced means, said member being longer than the distance between said spaced means.

22. Electron discharge apparatus comprising a hollow resonator having relatively movable wall portions provided with aligned electron permeable regions, a relatively thin walled tube, having an appreciable coefficient of thermal expansion operatively connected at opposite ends to said wall portions, and electrical heater means mounted in operative association with said tube for variably controlling the temperature and consequently the length of said tube.

23. The apparatus defined in claim 22, wherein said electrical heater means comprises a filamentary resistance element disposed within and extending substantially the length of said tube for uniformly heating said tube along its length.

24. The apparatus defined in claim 22, wherein said tube is at least partly surrounded by a spaced shield protecting the tube from drafts and the like.

25. Electron discharge apparatus comprising a hollow resonator having a rigid wall at one end and a flexible wall at the other end, grids mounted in axial alignment on said walls, spaced members substantially rigid with the respective grids, and a thermally responsive expansible and contractible tuning strut interconnecting said members.

26. Electron discharge tube structure comprising means defining a hollow resonator having a pair of relatively movable frequency control members, a strut interconnecting said members, and electrically energized means for variably controlling a dimension of said strut for thereby controlling relative frequency control movement of said member.

27. Electron discharge apparatus comprising means defining a hollow resonator having a pair of relatively movable frequency control members, a strut interconnecting said member, said strut being adapted to change at least one dimension in response to temperature changes, and means for controllably varying the temperature of said 15 strut, for predictably altering the frequency of said resonator.

References Cited in the file of this patent Number Name Date 2,079,809 Kuhle et a1 May 11, 1937 2,095,981 Hansell Oct. 19, 1937 2,109,880 Dow Mar. 1, 1938 2,146,365 Batchelor Feb. '7, 1939 2,183,215 Dow Dec. 12, 1939 2,216,170 George Oct. 1, 1940 2,251,085 Unk July 29, 1911 2,304,186 Litton Dec. 8, 1942 2,323,735 Tawney 1 July 6, 1943 2,337,214 Tunick Dec. 21, 1943 2,568,325 Diamond Sept. 18, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 422,869 Great Britain Jan. 21, 1935 537,518 Great Britain June 25, 1941 OTHER REFERENCES Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 10, No. 5, May 1939, pages 321-327. 

